The US State Department has condemned the killing of an Iranian woman in police custody after she was detained for not covering her head.
Anger over Mahsa Amini’s death is growing both domestically within Iran, from opposition parties, as well as reports from around the world.
The 22-year-old’s death last Friday sparked a new wave of resistance against Iran’s religious police and morality code, including among some prominent left-leaning members of the country’s parliament. Protests have spread to dozens of cities across the country, according to anti-government sources.
“The death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for wearing an ‘inappropriate’ hijab is a horrific and grave affront to human rights,” a spokesman for Joe Biden’s National Security Council told reporters. “Our thoughts are with Mahsa’s family and loved ones.”
“Iranian women should have the right to wear what they want, free from violence or harassment. Iran must stop using violence against women to exercise their fundamental freedoms,” they continued. “There must be accountability for Mahsa’s death.”
In the United States, protests continued with renewed vigor outside the UN headquarters as well as a nearby hotel where Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is staying while attending a General Assembly meeting. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the streets to demand justice.
Anti-Rice protesters on the streets of New York City
(OIAC)
“No one can or should remain silent about the brutal killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by this brutal regime,” said Dr. Ramesh Sepeharrad, Advisory Chair of the Organization of the Iranian-American Community.
Maryam Razavi, president-elect of Iran’s National Council of Resistance, added that Ms Amini’s death had “ignited the powder keg in our rebellious cities”.
“Indeed, the moment this murderer enters the building he claims to serve the nations of the world is a moment of shame and humiliation for those who appease the ruling religious fascism, a moment that wounds the conscience of humanity,” Ms Razavi added. Mr. Raisi’s forthcoming speech to the General Assembly.
At least some seem to agree, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for an investigation into Ms Amini’s death and alleged torture.
The Biden administration is engaged in talks with Iran’s leadership over a possible restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal signed between the Obama administration, Tehran and several European countries.
Foreign Relations Committee Senator Dr freedom They had no update on the status of those talks on Tuesday, which is completely contradicted by more hawkish members of Congress.
